Guitar Buyer’s Guide
Are you looking for guitar lessons near Boise, Idaho, but don’t have an instrument?
Or perhaps you’re looking to add a new instrument to your music corner, or give a guitar as a gift.
No matter the reason, we think adding more music into your life is always a good thing, and we’re happy to help you find the perfect instrument! Read on for our curated list of guitar recommendations.*
The Basics
Guitar Playability
Ease of playability is of utmost importance when buying a guitar. To find a guitar that is easy to play, look for an adjustable neck with a “truss rod.” All of our recommendations below should have an adjustable neck.
Size is also important when picking a guitar and is another component of instrument playability. A 3/4 size (smaller all around) or parlor guitar (smaller body) can be comfortable for younger students or players with smaller hands. A guitar with a concert body is the perfect one-size-fits-most instrument that still has lovely projection and tone. Lastly, large-bodied dreadnought guitars are the gold standard for a nice, booming acoustic sound.
Do not worry about investing in and then “outgrowing” a guitar — what was once a student guitar will soon become your travel or couch guitar. Again, ease of playing is supreme as students are far more likely to practice an improve on an instrument that is comfortable and fun.
Guitar Longevity
The second priority is the longevity of the instrument. We suggest a solid wood top to keep strummin’ your favorite guitar forever. We’ll provide a few laminate options if you need to get started on a budget or want the added strength of the laminate wood to withstand kids or travel. That said, if you can swing it, definitely spring for the solid top for a great boost in sound quality! Or if you are looking to upgrade your current git-fiddle, look for a guitar with a solid back and sides, too, for ultimate resonance.
Most of our suggestions are for 6-string acoustic guitars. Feel free to add a “cut-away” if you have a desire to play solos high up on the neck, or pick an acoustic/electric model if you want to plug into an amp. If you’d like ideas on classical guitars or electric guitars please shoot us an email.
Shopping Locally
Your local music shop will have a variety of awesome instruments for you to choose from. If you decide to purchase an instrument online or used, please have it looked over by a luthier to make sure it is in tip-top playing condition.
If you’re in the Boise area , we love Eagle Guitar for instrument shopping and The Better Fret for set-ups, tune-ups, and repairs. Check out the guitars below to get an idea of reputable brands and models.
A Note for Left-Handed Players
If you are a lefty thinking of playing guitar, try “right” first and see how it feels. We personally don’t care whether you play left or right, but often lefty guitar options can be restricting (though we do offer some recommendations below).
Lefties are not just limited in guitars available for purchase; they cannot pick up a friend’s guitar and start playing—total bummer! Many left-handed instrumentalists (Marcus included) get along just fine playing “right” and enjoy the advantage of using their dominant hand to grab the chords.
If you are already committed to playing left-handed we can still help you learn and give you recommendations for quality instruments.
Guitars We Recommend
PERFECT FOR ALMOST ANY PLAYER
Yamaha Fs800 - Solid Top
(Pictured) Perfect for beginners—nice price!
Guild M-240E - Solid Top, Acoustic/Electric
The universal favorite among our players—a beginner guitar that can also be your forever guitar.
Concert Body Guitars
WE RECOMMEND
GREAT FOR QUIET STRUMMING
Parlor Guitars
WE RECOMMEND
GREAT FOR YOUNGER PLAYERS
Luna Safari
(Pictured)
3/4 Size Laminate-Top Guitars
WE RECOMMEND
GREAT FOR TRAVEL
3/4 Size Solid-Top Guitars
Yamaha JR2TBS
(Pictured)
WE RECOMMEND
GREAT FOR A RICH SOUND
Dreadnought Solid Top Guitars
WE RECOMMEND
GREAT FOR A COMPLEX, DYNAMIC SOUND
All Solid Wood Guitars
WE RECOMMEND
Accessories
Now that you’ve found your perfect axe, outfit it with all the necessities.
Case
Go for either a hard shell or at least a padded soft case to protect your beloved guitar.
WE RECOMMEND
Tuner
Your phone app will work in a pinch, but a dedicated tuner will be more accurate. The clip-on kind will only pick up the vibrations from your instrument, which makes playing in a group even easier!
WE RECOMMEND
Strings
Throw an extra set in your case so you’ll never be caught unprepared!
WE RECOMMEND
Capo
Quickly change keys and discover new tones with a capo. Also, it looks pretty cool clipped to your headstock.
WE RECOMMEND
Strap
Pick up a strap in a fun color to help your ergonomics, regardless of whether you’re playing sitting or standing.
WE RECOMMEND
Picks
Shoot for .60mm or thinner so you get a nice bite on individual notes and a smooth strum on chords. Also, a grippy texture makes it less likely that you’ll drop it immediately into your guitar’s sound hole.
WE RECOMMEND
Still have questions about buying a guitar?
Next Read:
Create a safe and comfortable space to leave your instrument out and get into your practice groove!
Ready to play some music?
*Campfire Music Collective is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon offers a small commission on any products purchased through affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Your purchases help support our work in bringing you quality music resources beyond in-person instruction.